Devora's Spring by Deborah Winfrey Keene

Author:Deborah Winfrey Keene
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Deborah Winfrey Keene
Published: 2023-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Work: It’s Complicated

October 1, 2018

Community Legal

“Good morning! Welcome to Community Legal.” The young man standing across the reception desk from her nodded. He relaxed when she told him to have a seat. In the same chair she’d sat waiting for Tim months earlier.

Sunlight beamed through crystal clear windows which she’d raised a few inches to let the crisp morning breeze in to clear the air. The smell of autumn leaves was comforting. Gone was the mishmash of random office furniture. With her brains and Tim and his husband Ron’s muscles, Devora had organized a workspace for the four interns she’d on-boarded a couple of months earlier. With old, but shiny desks and chairs, they had space to privately interview clients shielded by shoji screens.

Though they had clunky landline phones, their brand new computers were loaded with the latest and best software Tim’s money could buy—and Devora could install.

A bright green Pothos trailed along Devora’s reception counter. Alongside it was a petite fluted dish overflowing with peppermint and butterscotch candies—just like the ones she’d loved in administrative offices at Huron Valley. The dish was one of the first things she’d bought when she got the job. Tim had given her $50 out of his pocket to buy things to personalize her space. “Get whatever you want.” His words rang in her ears.

Standing behind her counter and looking over the office, Devora ran a finger along the dish’s fluted edge, thinking about Tim. He treated her like an equal. Esther? Not so much. She was pleasant but guarded around Devora. She’d agreed to hire Devora when Tim threatened to quit. Devora was hurt overhearing how Esther wanted to get rid of her, despite knowing that she’d end up back in prison. Thinking about how she’d loved helping Esther at the grocery store, Devora felt used.

On the other hand, she admired Esther. She admired her confidence, her command of the work place, her stature in the legal community—and even how she dressed. Devora wanted to be like Esther. She was determined to find a way to get back in her good graces. Her freedom and her plan depended on it. Tim, she already had.

She’d recognized his softness, even when he’d questioned whether she was right for the job. He was like her prison psychiatrist, Dr. Bob. Nice guys trying to do good in the toughest places. Devora had a knack for sizing up people. Surviving prison, foster care, and transient living had given her plenty of practice. Her suspicion about Tim’s soft-heartedness was confirmed when she’d learned he came from money. He was wealthy. He worked because he wanted to—not because he had to.

He came from a family of modern day auto barons. Esther often teased him about it when he’d chide her about her own moneyed background. Devora liked Tim. He was fun. Easy with a laugh. He made work fun. Having him help her navigate the work space and carry out her plan was a plus.

Things were looking up for the most part.

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